Jeannie O’Flaherty: Justin Bieber’s Mistletoe

Justin Bieber, Christmas, mistletoe. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a heartwarming, earth shattering, life changing Christmas album. Don’t agree? By the end of this I can guarantee you will.

First, let’s take a look at the album cover:

Be honest, have you ever seen such beautiful eyes? Such soft lips? Such a chiseled jawline? Didn’t think so.

Next, let’s look at the featured artists:

Usher in the “Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire)”, Boyz II Men in “Fa la la”, Busta Rhymes in “Drummer Boy”, the Band Perry in “Home This Christmas” (less impressive), and Mariah Carey in “All I Want for Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!)”. Mariah freaking Carey, the very queen of Christmas music (even if she can’t hit those whistle notes anymore).

Under the Mistletoe came out in 2011, so not too long after Bieber’s “Baby” phase, and not too long before his bad boy “What Do You Mean” phase (yes, I am very much enjoying this phase). I like to call this phase his “coming out” phase. He came out with a movie, came out with SelGom on that yacht in the Caribbean, came out that he is not in fact the baby daddy to Mariah’s son, and yes, he came out with a Christmas album.

Most of the songs on Bieber’s Christmas album are covers of the classics, but Bieber did grace us with an original, “Mistletoe”. (Oh, and a music video). His lyrics are sweet, sentimental, and of course swaggy:

“I don’t wanna miss out on the holiday/ But I can’t stop staring at your face/ I should be playing in the winter snow/ But I’mma be under the mistletoe

With you, shawty with you/ With you, shawty with you/ With you under the mistletoe”

Shawty.

No one could ever get away with using “shawty” in a Christmas album. But Justin Bieber, he’s different. Everything about this album is different. It’s pure gold.

https://play.spotify.com/user/dartnewsonline/playlist/1l4zuPGmPakpaaK4vvsk93

MaryMichael Hough: *NSYNC’s Home for Christmas

There is nothing in this world that can make me feel the way that frosted tips, metallic jumpsuits, and Christmas music can. It is for this reason that, despite my allegiance to all things Home Alone and Destiny’s Child, no other album could ever bring such joy to my heart than *NSYNC’s Home for Christmas.

*NYSNC’s immaculate mix of 90s pop renditions of Christmas classics (The First Noel and The Christmas Song) and festive originals (Home for Christmas and Under my Tree) provide the ultimate holiday album. The tender harmonies of “ooohs” and “ahhhs” and flawless high notes highlight the true spirit of Christmas and cater to the most relatable moments of the holiday season.

I mean, picture this. You’re just lounging by a fire, sipping some hot cocoa, doing Christmasy things and staring into the sparkling eyes of adolescent Justin Timberlake. You’re running your fingers through his luscious blonde curly locks when all of a sudden he serenades you saying, “cold winter nights may come and go, but we’re still dancin’ slow… can’t you hear my song, the song I sing for you.” Come on. If that’s not what Christmas is all about then I don’t know what is.

I must give you a small warning. Their inspiring acapella rendition of O Holy Night will bring tears and a new dream to join a choir of pure teenage boys sporting various unusual hairstyles.

I must admit, however, that the real highlight of Home for Christmas can not be found in the album. But instead in the music video for the greatest song on the whole album (and of our time) Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. I can not even begin to capture this true work of art, but can say that it features Gary Coleman and will leave you with a strange desire to invest in some gender neutral jewelry and a windbreaker and then ride Space Mountain. But, who cares? Do whatever you want because it’s Christmas!

https://play.spotify.com/user/dartnewsonline/playlist/1Jjv6rlXxpeQ6RR16v9zTJ

Mary Hilliard: The Rat Pack’s Christmas with the Rat Pack

How can anyone resist the deep melodious voices of the Rat Pack? It is classic Christmas music- 30 years earlier people were listening to it and 30 years later people will still be listening to it. It automatically puts you in a Christmas mood.

Let me break this down for you: three of the most swoon-worthy voices of all time united on one Christmas album.

You’ve got Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. They set the standard for Christmas music and perform all the classics. Wait hold up, they don’t just perform the classics, they are the classics. Just listen to the songs and you’re transported to a family room with a (real) Christmas tree, roaring hearth, and your family hanging ornaments on the tree. It perfectly captures the warmth, comfort, and love that accompanies the Christmas season.

Sure, every now and then it’s fun to listen to some fresh takes on Christmas music from ~current~ pop stars, but in the end, you’re always going to return to Christmas with the Rat Pack.

Along the same genre and sound as the RatPack is the king of Christmas himself, Bing Crosby, and his prince, Michael Buble. Throw in the Carpenters and you’ve got the timeless Christmas playlist that you will always return to on a quiet, white winter’s night.

https://play.spotify.com/user/dartnewsonline/playlist/0Jd6x4yH9SMFVmo5vbnr6T